Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-13

THEY ARE MORE OBJECTIONABLE THAN THEIR AMER
ICAN BRETHREN.

Mexican DudeSs
THEY ARE MORE OBJECTIONABLE THAN THEIR AMER
ICAN BRETHREN.
Correspondence San Francisco Chronicle
At certain hours OF the day, and In certain por.
lions OF the more fashionably freQuented streets
the way is lined with variety of sidewalk statues
who, for smartness OF attire ana vapdIty OF coun-
tenance will compare not unfavOrably with the
glorious American dude. They are known among
the discerning Mexicans-whO are masters OF the
art OF terse and graphic classification with re-
gard to salient pOints-as lagartijos, or lizards,
from the tenacity with which they hug the walls
along tile narrow sidewalks while they Ogle the
ladies going to or from church or the prone
nades These ''lizards' have an amiable habit
Of making, with the utmost cOmpOsure, in q
perfectly audible voice, highly complimentary
fair sex as may be fortunate enough to meet with
their critical appreciation. ''Sweetness!' "What
nqsY t Sfe s0u saen
are some OF the refined and chtvalnc modes OF adj
dress practiced by these young-and not always
young-dandieS. Also, II they can muster q few
words OF English, they fond OF delivering them
for the benent OF women OF foreign appearance
at a severe penalty, as viii be seen. These ameni-
ties are called, In the expressive language OF the
country, throwing flowers" The maniE1nS really
mean no Offense by the habit, but rather consider
it q delicate attention and tribute due to the
presumptive charms Of the fair the custom being
another disagreeable relic surviving from the OBJ
ject1onable phases OF the Spanish regime. The
usage is, happily, lessening and no doubt Will
Il is curious and characteristic to observe how
differently the habit is regarded by the ladies OF
different nations. The Spanish women resident in
Mexico complain that these gallantrtes are not
sufficiently pronounced, and declare that Mexican
men are cold blOOded reptiles perfect sticks in
short, with the very tameSt ideas as TO making
their attentions impressive and acceptable to
ladies; the Mexican women endure the 1mperti-
nences as an af1iictton, offensive, and lowering
their dignity, but one which they are 1mpOtent to
avoid thanks to the submissive attitude OF fem1-
ninity in the country. American women In Mexico
often 90 not understand enough Spanish to know
the import OF these speeches, but when they do
understand it it goes hard with the offender.
He is sure to receive some token OF re-
sentiment, II only a scowl. Two cases are
on record OF frate damSelS-One, 1t goes
without saying was strOng-mfnded BOStonian
lass-Who, In the might OF their righteous ind3gna-
tiOn ut what they deemed deliberate insult, laid
across the faces OF the culpr1tS q succession OF
vigorous whacks with q paraSoi But perhaps the
most effective extinguisher Is that employed by q
California young lady. She knows Spanish like q
native and when she hears observations from the
dandies directed toward herself she walks up TO
the nearest policemen, points out the delinquent,
and says: cit is against the police regulations to
permit insults to foreigners. You Will have the
goodness to take that man in charge" And she
stays near to see that the gend'arme complies She
has made herself considerable OF terror TO the
lagartijos, and the Mexican ladies commend her
course realizing that such treatment goes Tar to
correct the abuse. P0bres lagartijos! their type
must be extinct ere many year4